💴 Japanese Currency Guide: Coins & Banknotes

Japan uses the yen (¥) as its official currency. Currently, there are six types of coins and four types of banknotes in circulation — making for a total of ten denominations issued by the Bank of Japan, the nation’s central bank.

💱 Currency Exchange in Japan

Unlike some countries, Japan has limited currency exchange options outside of airports, major banks, and hotel front desks. We highly recommend exchanging your money at the airport upon arrival for the best convenience.

While credit cards are accepted in many places, some smaller shops, restaurants, and rural areas still prefer cash, so it's smart to carry some yen with you at all times.

🔧 Tip: Visit the “Useful Tools” section on the Japan-i website to access a currency converter for real-time exchange rates.

🪙 Japanese Coins

Denomination Design Material Diameter
1 Yen Young tree 100% aluminum 20.0 mm
5 Yen Ears of rice, gear, water 60–70% copper, 30–40% zinc 22.0 mm
10 Yen Phoenix Hall, Byodo-in Temple 95% copper, 3–4% zinc, 1–2% tin 23.5 mm
50 Yen Chrysanthemum 75% copper, 25% nickel 21.0 mm
100 Yen Cherry blossoms 75% copper, 25% nickel 22.6 mm
500 Yen Paulownia Approx. 7:1:2 copper : nickel : zinc 26.5 mm

💵 Japanese Banknotes

Denomination Size (mm) Portrait/Design
¥1,000 76 × 150 Front: Hideyo Noguchi
Back: Mt. Fuji & cherry blossoms
¥2,000 76 × 154 Front: Shurei-mon Gate (Okinawa)
Back: Tale of Genji & Lady Murasaki’s Diary
¥5,000 76 × 156 Front: Ichiyo Higuchi
Back: The Irises by Ogata Korin
¥10,000 76 × 160 Front: Yukichi Fukuzawa
Back: Phoenix Statues (Byodo-in Temple)

📝 Final Tips

  • Carry some cash, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas.
  • ¥2,000 bills are rare in circulation, so don’t be surprised if you don’t receive one.
  • Japan is a very safe country to carry cash, so you don’t need to worry much about theft.

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